In December the Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Industry Association (NEIA) led an international business trade mission of nine delegate firms to the Caribbean region to pursue and expand on business opportunities, including engagements in Trinidad & Tobago, Barbados, St. Lucia, Belize, and Guyana.

“Since 2014, NEIA has had an active program of supports in place to assist clean technology and environmental services firms from Newfoundland and Labrador pursue business opportunities in Caribbean markets,” said Abbie Lacey, NEIA’s Manager of International Business Development. “These supports have resulted in projects and exports for businesses from this province.”

Lacey said that markets in the Caribbean are an excellent fit for Newfoundland and Labrador firms. “The environmental challenges being faced by these small and primarily island nations – from coastal erosion to wastewater management to their distance from major markets – are very similar to the challenges we are facing here at home.”

Since the beginning of its program, NEIA has helped over two dozen firms develop strategies to enter Caribbean markets and has led six business development missions to the region. NEIA supports participants by providing professional matchmaking services, catered to the specific needs and opportunities for each business, to help firms find and meet potential partners in their markets of interest.

Lacey said that Canada’s Trade Commissioner Service was an integral support for the mission, its participants, and the ongoing trade relationship between Newfoundland and Labrador and the Caribbean region. “The Trade Commissioners within these markets have excellent intelligence and networks that provides substantial value to NEIA and its membership.”

NEIA’s international business initiatives in the region are a product of a continued collaboration with the Department of Tourism, Culture, Innovation, and Industry and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). “The provincial government and ACOA have been strong partners in the pursuit of international business growth for our sector,” said Lacey. “We look forward to continued collaboration towards the diversification of our provincial economy through export and trade.”

NEIA is a not-for-profit association of businesses that promotes the development of clean technology and the growth of the green economy in Newfoundland and Labrador. NEIA has over 200 members. More information can be found at http://www.neia.org.